Think Twice Before Turning Basic IKEA Cabinets Into A Bathroom Sink Vanity

When you want to make your bathroom look high-end but are working within the constraints of a tight budget, nothing beats good ol' IKEA. The Scandinavian retail giant offers an endless supply of affordable yet chic home furnishings. Even better, their products are often easy to modify, as evidenced by the sheer volume of brilliant IKEA hacks floating around the internet. A particularly popular bathroom hack involves turning basic IKEA cabinets or dressers into a bathroom sink vanity. Essentially, it consists of DIYers cutting a hole in the top to fit the sink and cutting out a section in the back to accommodate the plumbing pipes. While the end result is usually stunning, there are some potential water damage issues that could arise.

Many IKEA furniture pieces, such as the popular IKEA Malm 3-drawer chest ($149.99), are made from particleboard and then topped with a veneer finish. While particleboard is very budget-friendly, it is not waterproof and can swell if exposed to water. Since bathrooms generally have high humidity levels, when you opt for a non-waterproof piece of furniture, you run the risk of it absorbing too much moisture every time you bathe or run water. Over time, this could lead to the veneer surface peeling away from the particleboard, or worse, the particleboard warping or crumbling. For this reason, it's important to select a sink vanity that can withstand the high moisture levels of a bathroom.

Just because some IKEA furniture pieces are not ideal options for use in a bathroom doesn't mean there aren't any options at IKEA that will work. There are many pieces you can hack into a stylish vanity that will hold up well to high humidity. The most obvious option is IKEA's line of bathroom vanities, most notably the GODMORGON and HEMNES vanities. Many DIYers have found ways to elevate the look of these basic sink vanities, such as this hack from Jenna Sue Design. Now, you may notice that some IKEA bathroom vanities are also made of particleboard, but the key difference is that the vanities are coated in either melamine or plastic, both of which are waterproof.

Keep in mind, however, that there is still some risk of water damage, even with melamine or plastic-coated IKEA vanities, as any scratch in the surface could allow water to seep through to the particleboard. So if it's total peace of mind you seek, your safest bet is to choose a piece that's made of solid wood. To bring a rustic aesthetic to your bathroom, you might consider hacking the IKEA BEKVAM Kitchen Cart ($69.99), which is made from solid beech. The IKEA RAST Dresser ($49.99) is another great option, and it is made from pine. Both are easy to customize with new paint, hardware, or furniture legs. Whichever wooden piece you choose, be sure to seal it with a clear waterproof topcoat to ensure maximum durability.